Curved liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

A curved liquid crystal display including a first substrate having a curved shape; a plurality of gate lines and data lines on the first substrate; a plurality of thin film transistors connected to the gate lines and data lines; a plurality of color filters on the thin film transistors; a plurality of pixel electrodes and common electrodes on the plurality of color filters, the plurality of pixel electrodes and common electrodes overlapping with each other with a first insulating layer therebetween; a second substrate having a curved shape, the second substrate facing the first substrate; vertical alignment layers on inner sides of the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the vertical alignment layers, wherein liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are aligned to be vertical to surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate when an electric field is not formed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application based on pending application Ser. No.14/498,430, filed Sep. 26, 2014, the entire contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0167557, filed on Dec. 30, 2013,in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Curved LiquidCrystal Display,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments relate to a curved liquid crystal display.

2. Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display, which is one type of flat panel display, mayinclude two sheets of display panels with field generating electrodes(such as a pixel electrode, a common electrode, or the like) and aliquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal displaydevice may generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer byapplying voltage to the field generating electrodes, and may determineor affect a direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystallayer by the generated electric field, thus controlling polarization ofincident light so as to display images. Transmittance of the liquidcrystal display may be increased as the liquid crystal molecules areeffectively controlled.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the invention andtherefore it may contain information that does not form the prior artthat is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill inthe art.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to a curved liquid crystal display.

The embodiments may be realized by providing a curved liquid crystaldisplay including a first substrate having a curved shape; a pluralityof gate lines and a plurality of data lines on the first substrate; aplurality of thin film transistors connected to the plurality of gatelines and the plurality of data lines; a plurality of color filters onthe plurality of thin film transistors; a plurality of pixel electrodesand common electrodes on the plurality of color filters, the pluralityof pixel electrodes and common electrodes overlapping with each otherwith a first insulating layer therebetween; a second substrate having acurved shape, the second substrate facing the first substrate; verticalalignment layers on inner sides of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the vertical alignmentlayers, wherein liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer arealigned to be vertical to surfaces of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate when an electric field is not formed.

The liquid crystal molecules may be aligned to be horizontal to thesurfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate and in thedirection of the electric field, when the electric field is formed inthe liquid crystal layer.

The common electrode may be on the plurality of color filters, the firstinsulating layer may be on the common electrode, and the plurality ofpixel electrodes may be on the first insulating layer.

The curved liquid crystal display may further include a light blockingmember on the second substrate and at a position overlying a regionwhere two adjacent color filters of the plurality of color filtersoverlap with each other.

A width of the light blocking member may be the same as or larger than awidth of the data line.

The curved liquid crystal display may further include a column spacerattached to the light blocking member.

A portion of the color filters where the plurality of color filtersoverlaps with each other may have a flat shape.

The curved liquid crystal display may further include a shieldingelectrode on the first substrate, the shielding electrode being at aposition overlying an interface between two adjacent color filters ofthe plurality of color filters and the data line; and an additionalelectrode on the second substrate.

The curved liquid crystal display may further include a column spacerattached onto the shielding electrode.

The plurality of pixel electrodes may be on the plurality of colorfilters, the first insulating layer may be on the pixel electrode, andthe common electrode may be on the first insulating layer.

The curved liquid crystal display may further include a light blockingmember on the second substrate and at a position overlying a regionwhere two adjacent color filters among the plurality of color filtersoverlap with each other.

A width of the light blocking member may be the same as or larger than awidth of the data line.

The curved liquid crystal display may further include a column spacerattached onto the light blocking member.

A portion of the color filters where the plurality of color filters mayoverlap with each other has a flat shape.

The curved liquid crystal display may further include a light blockingmember between two adjacent color filters among the plurality of colorfilters, the light blocking member being on the first substrate and at aposition overlying the data line.

The curved liquid crystal display may further include a column spacerattached onto the light blocking member.

The embodiments may be realized by providing a curved liquid crystaldisplay including a first substrate having a curved shape; a pluralityof common electrodes and a plurality of pixel electrodes on the firstsubstrate, the plurality of common electrodes and plurality of pixelelectrodes being alternately separated from each other and being on asame layer; a second substrate having a curved shape, the secondsubstrate facing the first substrate; vertical alignment layers on innersides of the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquidcrystal layer between the vertical alignment layers, wherein liquidcrystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are aligned to be verticalto surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate when anelectric field is not formed.

The liquid crystal molecules may be aligned to be horizontal to thesurfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate in thedirection of the electric field, when the electric field is formed inthe liquid crystal layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features will be apparent to those of skill in the art by describing indetail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal displayaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a layout view of the liquid crystal display accordingto the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG.2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal displayaccording to another exemplary embodiment, which is taken along line ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal displayaccording to yet another exemplary embodiment, which is taken along lineof FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates a layout view of a liquid crystal display deviceaccording to yet another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG.7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG.7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal displaydevice according to yet another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of a result of measuring light leakage inblack and uniformity of luminance on gray in curved liquid crystaldisplays according to an exemplary embodiment and a Comparative Example.

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram of a result of measuring generation ofspots in curved liquid crystal displays according to an exemplaryembodiment and Comparative Example.

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram of a result of measuring changes in colorcoordinates for each position before and after forming a curved surfacein a curved liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram illustrating a result of measuring lightleakage in a black state in curved liquid crystal displays according toan exemplary embodiment and Comparative Example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied indifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art.

In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity of illustration. Like reference numerals referto like elements throughout.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film,region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, itcan be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

First, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodimentwill be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal displayaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiment may include a lower insulation substrate 110, aplurality of common electrodes 131 and pixel electrodes 191 on the lowerinsulation substrate 110, an upper insulation substrate 210 facing thelower insulation substrate 110, and a liquid crystal layer 3 between theupper insulation substrate 210 and the lower insulation substrate 110.

The liquid crystal layer 3 may be formed in an in-plane switching mode,which may be driven by only an electric field of the common electrode131 and the pixel electrode 191 on the lower insulation substrate 210.

FIG. 1(a) illustrates an off state of the liquid crystal display, andFIG. 1(b) illustrates an on state of the liquid crystal display.

As illustrated in FIG. 1(a), liquid crystal molecules 31 (configuringthe liquid crystal layer 3) may be in a vertically aligned state whenthe liquid crystal display is in the off state. As illustrated in FIG.1(b), liquid crystal molecules 31 (configuring the liquid crystal layer3) may be driven in an in-plane switching mode by the electric field ofthe plurality of common electrodes 131 and pixel electrodes 191 (formedonly on the lower insulation substrate 210) when the liquid crystaldisplay is turned on.

After the liquid crystal inside the liquid crystal display ismanufactured in a vertical field mode, when the liquid crystal displayis processed in a curved shape, there may be no large change in behaviorof the liquid crystal molecules due to misalignment of the upperinsulation substrate 210 and the lower insulation substrate 110.

However, in the case where the liquid crystal inside the liquid crystaldisplay is manufactured in the in-plane switching mode, when the liquidcrystal display is processed in a curved shape, there may be a largechange in behavior of the liquid crystal molecules due to misalignmentof the upper insulation substrate 210 and the lower insulation substrate110. As a result, light leakage may occur to a greater degree, ascompared with the vertical field mode. Accordingly, an initial alignmentof the liquid crystal molecules 31 (configuring the liquid crystal layer3) when the liquid crystal display is in the off state may be formed ina vertical alignment to prevent the light leakage.

Further, when the liquid crystal display is in the on state, the liquidcrystal display may be implemented in an existing in-plane switchingmode. For example, according to an embodiment, in an off state, theinitial alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 31 of the liquidcrystal layer 3 may be perpendicular to a tangent of the curvedsubstrate 110 or 210. In an on state, the alignment of a liquid crystalmolecule 31 that is under the influence of the electric filed may behorizontal to the surface of the curved substrate 110 or 210, e.g., theliquid crystal molecule 31 may be parallel with a tangent line of thecurved substrate 110 or 210.

Next, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment willbe described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 2 illustrates a layout view of a liquid crystal display accordingto an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional viewtaken along line of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectionalview taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

The liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment mayinclude a lower panel 100 and an upper panel 200 facing each other, anda liquid crystal layer 3 between the two panels 100 and 200.

First, the lower panel 100 will be described.

A plurality of gate lines 121 may be formed on an insulation substrate110.

The gate lines 121 may transfer gate signals and may extend in ahorizontal direction. Each gate line 121 may include a plurality of gateelectrodes 124.

A gate insulating layer 140 may be formed on the gate line 121. The gateinsulating layer 140 may be made of or may include, e.g., an inorganicinsulator such as silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide (SiOx).

A plurality of semiconductors 151 may be formed on the gate insulatinglayer 140. The semiconductor 151 may include a protrusion 154 extendingalong the gate electrode 124. In an implementation, the semiconductor151 may be disposed only on the gate electrode 124.

A plurality of ohmic contacts 161, 163, and 165 may be formed on thesemiconductor 151. The ohmic contacts 163 and 165 may face each otherbased on the gate electrode 124 and may be disposed on the semiconductor154 to make a pair. The ohmic contacts 161, 163, and 165 may be made ofa material, e.g., n⁺ hydrogenated amorphous silicon (in which an n-typeimpurity such as phosphorus is doped at high concentration) or asilicide. In an implementation, the ohmic contacts 161, 163, and 165 maybe omitted.

Data conductors, including a plurality of data lines 171 and a pluralityof drain electrodes 175, may be positioned on the ohmic contacts 161,163, and 165.

The data lines 171 may transfer data signals and may extend in avertical direction to cross the gate lines 121. Each data line 171 mayinclude a plurality of source electrodes 173 that extend toward the gateelectrode 124. The data line 171 may be periodically curved and may forman oblique angle with an extending direction of the gate line 121. Theoblique angle between the data line 171 and the extending direction ofthe gate line 121 may be about 45° or more. In an implementation, thedata line 171 may extend in a straight line.

The drain electrode 175 may include a rod-shaped end portion that facesthe source electrode 173, based on the gate electrode 124 and the otherwide end portion.

The gate electrode 124, the source electrode 173, and the drainelectrode 175 may form a thin film transistor (TFT), which is aswitching element, together with the semiconductor protrusion 154. Asemiconductor stripe 151 may have almost the same planar shape as thedata line 171, the drain electrode 175, and the ohmic contacts 161 and165 therebelow, except for the semiconductor protrusion 154 where thethin film transistor is positioned.

A first passivation layer 180 x may be positioned on the data conductors171 and 175 and the exposed semiconductor protrusion 154. The firstpassivation layer 180 x may be made of or may include, e.g., an organicinsulating material, an inorganic insulating material, or the like.

A plurality of color filters 230A, 230B, and 230C may be disposed on thefirst passivation layer 180 x. Each of the color filters 230A, 230B, and230C may uniquely display one of the primary colors, and an example ofthe primary colors may include three primary colors such as red, green,and blue, or yellow, cyan, magenta, and the like. Although notillustrated, the color filters may further include a color filterdisplaying a mixed color of the primary colors or white other than theprimary colors. The color filters 230A, 230B, and 230C may be made of ormay include organic materials. Each of the color filters 230A, 230B, and230C may be elongated along the data line 171, and two color filters230A and 230B, or 230B and 230C, which are adjacent to each other on aboundary of the data line 171, may be overlapped with each other.

A plurality of common electrodes 131 may be disposed on the colorfilters 230A, 230B, and 230C. The common electrode 131 may be made of ormay include a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO. Thecommon electrode 131 (e.g., having a planar shape) may be formed on anentire surface of the insulation substrate 110 in a whole plate, and mayhave an opening 138 in a region corresponding to or overlying aperiphery of the drain electrode 175.

A second passivation layer 180 y may be disposed on the common electrode131. The second passivation layer 180 y may be made of or may include anorganic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.

A pixel electrode 191 may be formed on the second passivation layer 180y. The pixel electrode 191 may include a plurality of branch electrodes193 (which may extend to be substantially parallel with each other andmay be spaced apart from each other), and lower and upper horizontalportions 192 connecting upper and lower ends of the branch electrodes193. The branch electrode 193 of the pixel electrode 191 may be curvedalong the data line 171. In an implementation, the data lines 171 andthe branch electrode 193 of the pixel electrode 191 may extend in astraight line. The pixel electrode 191 may be made of or may include atransparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO.

A plurality of contact holes 183 (exposing a part of the drain electrode175) may be formed in the first passivation layer 180 x, the colorfilter 230B, and the second passivation layer 180 y, and the pixelelectrode 191 may be electrically connected with the drain electrode 175through the contact hole 183 to receive a data voltage.

The contact hole 183 may be formed at a position corresponding to oraligned with the opening 138 in the common electrode 131.

The pixel electrode 191 (receiving the data voltage) may generate anelectric field in the liquid crystal layer 3 together with the commonelectrode 131 (receiving a common voltage).

The branch electrodes 193 of the pixel electrode 191 may overlap withthe common electrode 131 (which may have the planar shape).

A first alignment layer 11 may be coated on an inner surface of thelower panel 100.

Next, the upper panel 200 will be described.

The upper panel 200 may include an insulation substrate 210, and a lightblocking member 220 on the insulation substrate 210. An overcoat 250 maybe further formed on the light blocking member 220.

A width of the light blocking member 220 may be larger than a width ofthe data line 171.

A second alignment layer 21 may be coated on the overcoat 250.

The first alignment layer 11 and the second alignment layer 21 may bevertical alignment layers for vertically aligning the liquid crystalmolecules 31 inside the liquid crystal layer 3.

The liquid crystal layer 3 between the lower panel 100 and the upperpanel 200 may include liquid crystal molecules 31. The liquid crystalmolecules 31 may be aligned so that long axes thereof are vertical orperpendicular to the surfaces of the two panels 100 and 200 when anelectric field is not applied.

The liquid crystal layer 3 may have positive dielectric anisotropy ormay have negative dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules ofthe liquid crystal layer 3 may be aligned to have pretilts in apredetermined direction, and the pretilt directions of the liquidcrystal molecules may be changed according to dielectric anisotropy ofthe liquid crystal layer 3.

As noted above, after the liquid crystal inside the liquid crystaldisplay is manufactured in a vertical field mode, when the liquidcrystal display is processed in a curved shape, there may be no largechange in behavior of the liquid crystal molecules due to misalignmentof the upper insulation substrate 210 and the lower insulation substrate110.

In the case where the liquid crystal inside the liquid crystal displayis manufactured in the in-plane switching mode, when the liquid crystaldisplay is processed in a curved shape, there may be a large change inbehavior of the liquid crystal molecules due to misalignment of theupper insulation substrate 210 and the lower insulation substrate 110.As a result, light leakage may more frequently occur, as compared withthe vertical field mode. Accordingly, an initial alignment of the liquidcrystal molecules 31 (configuring the liquid crystal layer 3) when theliquid crystal display is in the off state may be formed in a verticalalignment to prevent the light leakage.

A backlight unit (not illustrated) that generates light to supply thelight to the two panels 100 and 200 may be further included at anoutside of the substrate 110 of the lower panel 100.

The pixel electrode 191 (to which the data voltage is applied) maygenerate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer 3 together withthe common electrode 131 (receiving the common voltage) to determine oraffect directions of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystallayer 3 and may display the corresponding image.

Next, a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodimentwill be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal displayaccording to another exemplary embodiment, which is taken along line ofFIG. 2.

The liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5 may be substantially the same as the liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4, except for a column spacer 80 and shapes of surfaces of colorfilters 230A, 230B, and 230C on a lower surface of the column spacer 80,and description for duplicated portions may be omitted.

The liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment mayfurther include a column spacer 80 attached to or on a top of the lightblocking member 220 (which is on the upper panel 200), unlike the liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4.

Further, an overlapping portion of the color filters 230A and 230B belowor underlying the column spacer 80 may have a flat shape, unlikeprotruding in a convex shape above the lower panel 100 in the liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 4. For example, upper or outer surfaces of the color filtersthe color filters 230A and 230B below or underlying the column spacer 80may be flat and may be parallel or coplanar with one another.

The column spacer 80 may support the upper panel 200 and the lower panel100 to help maintain a predetermined cell gap between the upper panel200 and the lower panel 100.

When the curved liquid crystal display is manufactured, respectiveconstituent elements of the upper panel 200 and the lower panel 100 maycorrespond to different positions from initially formed positionsbecause the liquid crystal display is bent in a curved shape.

The upper panel 200 and the lower panel 100 may be bent in a curvedshape, and the column spacer 80 attached to the upper panel 200 maycorrespond to or overlie a different position on the lower panel 100from the initial corresponding or overlying position of the lower panel100. As a result, the column spacer 80 may overlap with the colorfilters 230A, 230B, and 230C to be disposed over a convex portion abovethe lower panel 100 or a slope portion thereof. In this case, theinitially formed cell gap and a cell gap after completing the curvedliquid crystal display may be different from each other, and as aresult, a luminance characteristic may deteriorate.

In order to help prevent the deterioration of the luminancecharacteristic, in the case where the column spacer 80 is attached to oron the upper panel 200, the overlapping portions 230A and 230B or 230Band 230C of the color filters 230A, 230B, and 230C on the lower panel100 facing the upper panel 200 may have a flat shape.

A liquid crystal display according to yet another exemplary embodimentwill be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal displayaccording to yet another exemplary embodiment, which is taken along lineof FIG. 2.

The liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 6 is substantially the same as the liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to4 described above, except for a column spacer 80 and a shieldingelectrode 88 positioned on a lower surface of the column spacer 80, anddescription for duplicated portions may be omitted.

In the liquid crystal display according to yet another exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, a shielding electrode 88 may bedisposed on the data line 171, unlike the liquid crystal displayaccording to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4. Theshielding electrode 88 may be positioned at both sides on the data line171 along an edge of one pixel area. The shielding electrode 88 mayinclude vertical portions on edges of the pixel area, and a horizontalportion connecting the vertical portions.

The shielding electrodes may not be separated from each other for everypixel area, and may be connected to the entire adjacent pixels to beintegrally formed. For example, the vertical portions of the pixelelectrode at the edges, and one or more horizontal portions connectingthe vertical portions, may exist for every pixel area, and the shieldingelectrodes may have a mesh form in all the pixels.

The shielding electrode 88 may be made of or may include a transparentconductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide(IZO), or a reflective metal such as aluminum, silver, chromium, or analloy thereof.

Further, an additional electrode 270 may be disposed on the upper panel200 to apply the same voltage as the additional electrode 270 of theupper panel 200 to the shielding electrode 88, and the same voltage maybe applied between both electrodes. As a result, an electric field maynot be generated between the shielding electrode 88 and the additionalelectrode 270 of the upper panel 200, and the liquid crystal layerpositioned therebetween may not be aligned. In this case, the liquidcrystal between the shielding electrode 88 and the additional electrode270 of the upper panel 200 may be in a black state, and as a result, inthe case where the liquid crystal expresses black, the liquid crystalitself may serve as the light blocking member 220. Accordingly, in theliquid crystal display according to yet another exemplary embodiment,the light blocking member 220 of the upper panel 200 may be omitted,unlike the liquid crystal display illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4.

Further, the liquid crystal display according to yet another exemplaryembodiment may further include a third passivation layer 180 z betweenthe color filters 230A, 230B, and 230C and the common electrode 131. Thethird passivation layer 180 z may be made of or may include an organicmaterial, and may have a flat surface. The third passivation layer 180 zmay be between the adjacent pixels to help reduce a step due to thecolor filters 230A, 230B, and 230C, and may help the alignment layer 11to be uniformly rubbed. Further, the third passivation layer 180 z maybe an inorganic insulating layer, and may help prevent components of thecolor filters from being exposed outside, and in this case, the thirdpassivation layer 180 z may be formed at a lower temperature than thegate insulating layer 140 to help prevent the color filters 230A, 230B,and 230C therebelow from being deformed or discolored. The thirdpassivation layer 180 z may help reduce transmittance loss due to adifference in refractive index between the color filters (disposedtherebelow) and the organic insulating layer.

The liquid crystal display according to yet another exemplary embodimentmay further include a column spacer 80 attached to or on a positioncorresponding to or overlying the shielding electrode 88 on the lowerpanel 100, unlike the liquid crystal display according to the exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4.

When the curved liquid crystal display is manufactured, respectiveconstituent elements of the upper panel 200 and the lower panel 100 maycorrespond to different positions from initially formed positionsbecause the liquid crystal display may be realigned or misaligned in acurved shape.

If the light blocking member 220 is formed on the upper panel 200, andthe upper panel 200 and the lower panel 100 are bent in a curved shape,the column spacer 80 (attached to the lower panel 100) may correspond toa different position from the initial corresponding position of theupper panel 200. Accordingly, the column spacer 80 may be disposed overthe protrusion where the light blocking member 220 positioned on theupper panel 200 is positioned or positioned at the contact hole portion,and in this case, the initially formed cell gap and a cell gap aftercompleting the curved liquid crystal display may be different from eachother, and as a result, a luminance characteristic may deteriorate.

Further, if the light blocking member 220 is formed on the upper panel200, and the upper panel 200 and the lower panel 100 are bent in acurved shape, the column spacer 80 attached to the lower panel 100 maycorrespond to a different position from the initial correspondingposition of the upper panel 200. Accordingly, the light blocking member220 may be positioned at an undesired position to cover the displayarea, and in this case, an aperture ratio may be decreased.

The removing or omission of the light blocking member 220 formed on theupper panel 200 and the forming of the shielding electrode 88 on thelower panel may help prevent the luminance characteristic fromdeteriorating due to a change of the cell gap or reduction of theaperture ratio of the liquid crystal display by an effect of the lightblocking member 220 and the column spacer 80, by removing or omittingthe light blocking member 220 on the upper panel 200 facing the lowerpanel 100 in the case where the column spacer 80 is attached to thelower panel 100.

Next, a liquid crystal display according to yet another exemplaryembodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

FIG. 7 illustrates a layout view of a liquid crystal display deviceaccording to another exemplary embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates across-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 7.

The liquid crystal display according to yet another exemplary embodimentmay include a lower panel 100 and an upper panel 200 facing each other,and a liquid crystal layer 3 between the two display panels 100 and 200.

First, the lower panel 100 will be described.

A plurality of gate lines 121 (including a plurality of gate electrodes124) may be positioned on an insulation substrate 110, and a gateinsulating layer 140 may be formed on the gate line 121. A plurality ofsemiconductors 151 (including a plurality of protrusions 154) may bedisposed on the gate insulating layer 140, and a plurality of ohmiccontacts 161, 163, and 165 may be disposed on the semiconductors 151 and154. A data conductor (including a plurality of data lines 171 and aplurality of drain electrodes 175) may be positioned on the ohmiccontacts 161, 163, and 165. The data line 171 may be periodicallycurved, and may form an oblique angle with an extending direction of thegate line 121. The oblique angle between the data line 171 and theextending direction of the gate line 121 may be about 45° or more. In animplementation, the data line 171 may extend in a straight line.

A first passivation layer 180 x may be positioned on the data conductor171 and 175 and the exposed semiconductor protrusion 154, and the firstpassivation layer 180 x may be made of or may include an organicinsulating material, an inorganic insulating material, or the like.

A plurality of color filters 230A, 230B, and 230C may be disposed on thefirst passivation layer 180 x. Each of the color filters 230A, 230B, and230C may uniquely display one of the primary colors, and an example ofthe primary colors may include three primary colors such as red, green,and blue, or yellow, cyan, magenta, and the like. Although notillustrated, the color filters may further include a color filterdisplaying a mixed color of the primary colors or white other than theprimary colors. The color filters 230A, 230B, and 230C may be made of ormay include organic materials. Each of the color filters 230A, 230B, and230C may be elongated along the data line 171, and two of the colorfilters 230A and 230B, or 230B and 230C (which are adjacent to eachother on a boundary of the data line 171) may be overlapped with eachother. For example, an edge or portion of one of the color filters mayoverlap an edge or portion of another of the color filters at theboundary of the data line 171.

A plurality of pixel electrodes 191 may be disposed on the color filters230A, 230B, and 230C. The pixel electrode 191 may have a planar shapethat almost fills a region surrounded by the gate line 121 and the dataline 171. An overall shape of the pixel electrode 191 may be generally apolygon having sides that are substantially parallel to the gate line121 and the data line 171. The pixel electrode 191 may be made of or mayinclude a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO.

A plurality of contact holes 183 (exposing a part of the drain electrode175) may be formed in the first passivation layer 180 x and the colorfilter 230A, and the pixel electrode 191 may be electrically connectedwith the drain electrode 175 through the contact hole 183 to receive adata voltage.

A second passivation layer 180 y may be disposed on the color filters230A, 230B, and 230C and the pixel electrode 191. The second passivationlayer 180 y may include an organic insulator or an inorganic insulator.

A common electrode 131 may be disposed on the second passivation layer180 y. The common electrode 131 may be made of or may include atransparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO. The commonelectrodes 131 of adjacent pixels may be connected to each other. Thecommon electrode 131 may include a plurality of branch electrodes 133 ineach pixel area. The branch electrodes 133 may be substantially parallelto each other and may be curved along the data line 171. In animplementation, the data line 171 and the branch electrodes 133 of thepixel electrode 131 may extend in a straight line.

The branch electrodes 133 of the common electrode 131 may overlap withor overlie the pixel electrode 191.

The pixel electrode 191 (receiving the data voltage) may generate anelectric field in the liquid crystal layer 3, together with the commonelectrode 131 (receiving the common voltage).

Next, the upper panel 200 will be described.

The upper panel 200 may include an insulation substrate 210 and a lightblocking member 220 on the insulation substrate 210. An overcoat 250 maybe further formed on the light blocking member 220.

A width of the light blocking member 220 may be larger than a width ofthe data line 171.

A second alignment layer 21 may be coated on the overcoat 250.

The first alignment layer 11 and the second alignment layer 21 may bevertical alignment layers for vertically aligning the liquid crystalmolecules 31 inside the liquid crystal layer 3.

The liquid crystal layer 3 between the lower panel 100 and the upperpanel 200 may include liquid crystal molecules 31, and the liquidcrystal molecules 31 may be aligned so that long axes thereof arevertical or perpendicular to the surfaces of the two panels 100 and 200while an electric field is not applied.

The liquid crystal layer 3 may have positive dielectric anisotropy ormay have negative dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules ofthe liquid crystal layer 3 may be aligned to have pretilts in apredetermined direction, and the pretilt directions of the liquidcrystal molecules may be changed according to dielectric anisotropy ofthe liquid crystal layer 3.

As noted above, after the liquid crystal inside the liquid crystaldisplay is manufactured in a vertical field mode, when the liquidcrystal display is processed in a curved shape, there may be no largechange in behavior of the liquid crystal molecules due to misalignmentof the upper insulation substrate 210 and the lower insulation substrate110.

In the case where the liquid crystal inside the liquid crystal displayis manufactured in the in-plane switching mode, when the liquid crystaldisplay is processed in a curved shape, there may be a large change inbehavior of the liquid crystal molecules due to misalignment of theupper insulation substrate 210 and the lower insulation substrate 110,and as a result, light leakage may more frequently occur, as comparedwith the vertical field mode. Accordingly, an initial alignment of theliquid crystal molecules 31 (configuring the liquid crystal layer 3)when the liquid crystal display is in the off state may be formed in avertical alignment to help prevent the light leakage.

A backlight unit (not illustrated) that generates light to supply thelight to the two panels 100 and 200 may be further included outside ofthe substrate 110 of the lower panel 100.

The pixel electrode 191 to which the data voltage is applied maygenerate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer 3 together withthe common electrode 131 (receiving the common voltage) to determine oraffect directions of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystallayer 3 and to display the corresponding image.

A liquid crystal display according to yet another exemplary embodimentwill be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal displayaccording to yet another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the liquid crystal display according to yetanother exemplary embodiment may include a lower panel 100 including athin film transistor, an upper panel 200 facing the lower panel 100, anda liquid crystal layer 3 between the lower panel 100 and the upper panel200.

The common electrode 131 and the pixel electrode 191 (for forming theelectric field) may be formed on the lower panel 100, and the commonelectrode 131 and the pixel electrode 191 may be formed at variouselectrode distances in one pixel area. Further, the liquid crystalmolecules 31 inside the liquid crystal layer 3 may be vertically alignedon the lower panel 100 and the upper panel 200, when the electric fieldis not applied.

A plurality of gate lines (not illustrated) may be formed on theinsulation substrate 110 (made of transparent glass or plastic), and aplurality of gate electrodes (not illustrated), protruding upwardly anddownwardly from each gate line, may be formed. A storage electrode (notillustrated), made of the same material as the gate line, may be furtherformed on the same layer as the gate line.

A gate insulating layer 140 may be formed on the gate line.

On the gate insulating layer 140, a semiconductor (not illustrated), anohmic contact (not illustrated), a data line (not illustrated),source/drain electrodes (not illustrated), and the like may be formed,and a passivation layer 180 may be formed thereon.

A plurality of common electrodes 131 and pixel electrodes 191 may beformed at various electrode distances on the passivation layer 180, anda first alignment layer 11 may be formed on the common electrode 131 andthe pixel electrode 191.

The upper panel 200 may include an insulation substrate 210 made oftransparent glass or plastic. A plurality of color filters (notillustrated) may be formed on the insulation substrate 210, an overcoat250 may be formed on the color filter, and a second alignment layer 21may be formed on the overcoat 250.

Here, the first alignment layer 11 and the second alignment layer 21 maybe vertical alignment layers. Accordingly, when the electric field isnot formed in the liquid crystal display, the liquid crystal molecules31 may be almost vertical to the surfaces of the upper panel 200 and thelower panel 100.

Further, when the electric field is formed in the liquid crystaldisplay, a vertical field may be formed around the common electrode 131and the pixel electrode 191, and the liquid crystal molecules 31 may bealigned in an in-plane switching mode in a direction of the electricfield.

For example, in order to observe display quality of the curved liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment, light leakage inblack and uniformity of luminance on gray were measured. The result isillustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 11(a) illustrates an image obtained by measuring light leakage inblack of a curved liquid crystal display according to a ComparativeExample and a curved liquid crystal display according to an exemplaryembodiment, and FIG. 11(b) illustrates an image obtained by measuringuniformity of luminance on gray of a curved liquid crystal displayaccording to a Comparative Example and a curved liquid crystal displayaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), in the curved liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment, it may be seen that lightleakage in black is reduced, and uniformity of luminance on gray isimproved.

In order to observe the display quality of the curved liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment, generation of spots ofthe display device were measured. The result is illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 12(a) illustrates an image obtained by measuring a white drivingstate of a curved liquid crystal display according to a ComparativeExample, and FIG. 12(b) illustrates an image obtained by measuring awhite driving state of a curved liquid crystal display according to anexemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), in the case of the curvedliquid crystal display according to the Comparative Example, a yellowishphenomenon was observed at left and right sides of the display device,while in the case of the curved liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiment, the yellowish phenomenon was completely improved.

Further, in order to observe generation of spots of the curved liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment, changes in colorcoordinates for each position before and after forming the curved shapeof the curved liquid crystal display according to the exemplaryembodiment were measured, and the result is illustrated in FIG. 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, it may be seen that there was little changein color coordinate for each position before and after forming thecurved shape of the curved liquid crystal display, and as a result, itmay be seen that a spot phenomenon is improved.

The light leakage in the black state of the curved liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment was measured, and theresult is illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 14(a) illustrates an image showing a simulation result of lightleakage of a curved liquid crystal display according to a ComparativeExample, and FIG. 14(b) illustrates an image showing a simulation resultof light leakage of a curved liquid crystal display according to anexemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), in the curved liquid crystaldisplay according to the exemplary embodiment, it may be seen that lightleakage was significantly improved, as compared with the curved liquidcrystal display according to the Comparative Example.

By way of summation and review, in the liquid crystal display, the pixelelectrode and the common electrode (generating the electric field in theliquid crystal layer) may be provided on one display panel with aswitching element. In the case where an in-plane switching mode liquidcrystal display (in which the liquid crystal is driven by only anelectric field of the lower electrode) is manufactured in a curvedshape, light leakage due to distortion of the liquid crystal moleculesmay occur.

The embodiments may provide a curved liquid crystal display in whichliquid crystal molecules are vertically aligned in an in-plane switchingmode.

The embodiments may provide a curved liquid crystal display that helpsprevent light leakage in an in-plane switching mode by verticallyaligning initial liquid crystal molecules while driving a liquid crystalby an electric field of only a lower electrode.

The embodiments may provide a curved liquid crystal display havingexcellent display quality even if misalignment of an upper panel and alower panel of the curved liquid crystal display were to occur.

As described above, the curved liquid crystal display according to theexemplary embodiment may have advantages of preventing light leakage ofthe curved liquid crystal display by vertically aligning initial liquidcrystal molecules in an in-plane switching mode (in which a liquidcrystal is driven by only an electric field of a lower electrode) andhaving excellent display quality, even in the case where misalignment ofan upper panel and a lower panel of the curved liquid crystal displayoccurs.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specificterms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In someinstances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art asof the filing of the present application, features, characteristics,and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment maybe used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/orelements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwisespecifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those ofskill in the art that various changes in form and details may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asset forth in the following claims.

<Description of symbols>  3: Liquid crystal layer 110, 210: Substrate100, 200: Display panel 250: Overcoat 121: Gate line 124: Gate electrode131: Common electrode 140: Gate insulating layer 151, 154: Semiconductor161, 165: Ohmic contact 171: Data line 175: Drain electrode 180x, 180y,180z: Passivation layer 183: Contact hole 191: Pixel electrode 220:Light blocking member 230: Color filter

What is claimed is:
 1. A curved liquid crystal display, comprising: afirst substrate having a curved shape; a plurality of gate lines and aplurality of data lines on the first substrate; a plurality of thin filmtransistors connected to the plurality of gate lines and the pluralityof data lines; a plurality of color filters on the plurality of thinfilm transistors; a plurality of pixel electrodes and common electrodeson the plurality of color filters, the plurality of pixel electrodes andcommon electrodes being insulated from each other by a first insulatinglayer; a second substrate having a curved shape, the second substratefacing the first substrate; vertical alignment layers on inner sides ofthe first substrate and the second substrate; a liquid crystal layerbetween the vertical alignment layers; a shielding electrode on thefirst substrate, the shielding electrode being at a position overlyingan interface between two adjacent color filters of the plurality ofcolor filters; and a column spacer overlapping the shielding electrode,wherein liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are alignedto be vertical to surfaces of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate when an electric field is not formed in the liquid crystallayer.
 2. The curved liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1,wherein the liquid crystal molecules are aligned to be horizontal to thesurfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate and in thedirection of the electric field, when the electric field is formed inthe liquid crystal layer.
 3. The curved liquid crystal display asclaimed in claim 2, further comprising a light blocking member on thesecond substrate and at a position overlying a region where two adjacentcolor filters of the plurality of color filters overlap with each other.4. The curved liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 3, wherein awidth of the light blocking member is the same as or larger than a widthof the data line.
 5. The curved liquid crystal display as claimed inclaim 3, wherein a portion of the color filters where the plurality ofcolor filters overlaps with each other has a flat shape.
 6. The curvedliquid crystal display as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: anadditional electrode on the second substrate.
 7. The curved liquidcrystal display as claimed in claim 6, wherein the column spacer isattached onto the shielding electrode.
 8. The curved liquid crystaldisplay as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a light blockingmember on the second substrate and at a position overlying a regionwhere two adjacent color filters among the plurality of color filtersoverlap with each other.
 9. The curved liquid crystal display as claimedin claim 8, wherein a width of the light blocking member is the same asor larger than a width of the data line.
 10. The curved liquid crystaldisplay as claimed in claim 8, wherein the column spacer is attachedonto the light blocking member.
 11. The curved liquid crystal display asclaimed in claim 10, wherein a portion of the color filters where theplurality of color filters overlaps with each other has a flat shape.12. The curved liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising a light blocking member between two adjacent color filtersamong the plurality of color filters, the light blocking member being onthe first substrate and at a position overlying the data line.
 13. Thecurved liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 12, wherein the columnspacer is attached onto the light blocking member.